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Ha Long Bay
Magnificent Ha Long Bay, with its 3000 islands rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of Vietnam's natural marvels. The tiny islands are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created by the wind and waves. The most impressive of the grottoes is the Hang Dau Go, a huge cave of three chambers. The name Ha Long means 'where the dragon descended into the sea', and refers to a legend about a dragon who created the bay and islands with its flailing tail. There's even a modern legendary creature, the Tarasque, said to haunt the area.
Taking a tour of the bay is the main activity here. If you want to see a lot, choose a fast boat. If you want a romantic experiences but with the risk of getting hardly anywhere, looks for one of the old junks. You have to charter the whole boat, but there are usually enough travelers around to make up a party and keep costs down.
The main town in the region is Ha long City, which is in two halves, one on the mainland and one on a neighboring island. Ha long City West, on the island, is the more scenic. Masochists might try seeing the bay on a day-trip from Hanoi, but most travelers catch the ferry from Hanoi to Hai Phong and board another ferry there to Ha long City East and spend at least one night here. There are plenty of reasonable hotels, mostly in or near Ha long West.
Ha Long Bay Landscapes
